raced in 2nd, not fluent at times, reminder after 4th, pushed along after 13th, kept on, not get on terms with winner
made all, jumped well, ridden before 2 out, stayed on gamely, always doing enough
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, plugged on, no impression
in rear, mistake 9th and lost ground, well behind when unseated rider 2 out
BLADE RUNNER is likely to be a warm order on his reappearance after winning his first two races over fences over this course and distance by a combined 20 lengths. Artemision is also returning after a break but he's yet to score in eleven starts under NH rules while dual point-to-point winner Kind Witness hasn't shown much to date over regulation fences. Art Of Illusion, placed in five of six over hurdles and runner-up in his only start between the flags, makes his debut over the bigger obstacles.
Blade Runner (FR) Evensjfav (11-12) Disputed lead, mistake 5th, niggled along after 7th, not fluent 13th, ridden to lead 4 out when blundered, went clear approaching 2 out, eased down from last, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Churchtown Glen (11-2) by 14l, 3 ran.
Art Of Illusion (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Led, pulled hard from 4th, ridden and headed home turn, weakened rapidly approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Mr Yeats (12-0) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Artemision 7-2 (11-8) Slow at times, chased leader, not much room 6th or 8th, soon lost 2nd, ridden before 12th, outpaced 15th, behind next, pulled up before 4 out, at Stratford 3m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Kind Witness (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, pushed along 3 out, plugged on same pace, 4th of 6, 7 1/4l behind Ho Que Oui (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
